How to Charge Battery on Enclosed Tool Trailer for Lights at Jobsite
Updated 12/15/2025 | Published 11/23/2024
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Question:
I have a Pace enclosed tool trailer with a 4 pin wiring harness, obviously no breakaway battery. I’m trying to setup a battery to power the interior lights, but I’m assuming that they will eventually drain the battery. Is it fairly easy to switch to a 7 pin my truck has both 4 and 7 pin connector and run a wire so that the battery will get charged while connected? I’m trying to figure out the best way to do this. The trailer is usually on a jobsite for over a month, but I will only be using the lights for a short period when it’s dark and I’m loading tools back inside. Would it be easier to just install a battery inside and run a trickle charger to it when necessary? You guys are usually good with recommending parts that I can get on your website, so any info would help. Thanks, Joe
asked by: Joe
Expert Reply:
Hi Joe; you can add a 7-way to the trailer and connect it to your truck but this is just a maintenance charge. If you really want to charge the battery with your truck you need the Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Trailer Battery Charger # RED96FR which would allow for actual battery charging using your vehicle. Since the trailer will be staying on the jobsite most of the time and the lights are only necessary for brief periods at night I would just run a battery charger to it during the day when it starts to run down.
If you're only using some small LED lights a battery like # 34276285 will last quite a while before it needs to be charged. If you have incandescent lights or other lights with a larger power draw you can expect to need to charge it more often. As it starts to run down, you can recharge it using the # 329-GENIUS5 assuming you have access to AC power at the site.
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Robin H.
12/15/2025
Hey Joe, how did your setup for powering the trailer lights turn out? Did you end up using the Redarc charger or just running a battery with the NOCO charger at the jobsite? Your update could make it easier for others working with similar trailers.